Chasing the Northern Lights with Friends

Vol 28, Issue 21 , Friday 3 April

I feel very lucky, again : ) 

With a group of about 16 friends, we decided to go to Kuopio, a small city in the north of Finland. We found a huge chalet near the city, and the goal of this trip was simple: to see the Northern Lights together.

We rented three cars and started the journey. The road trip itself was already an experience. Music, people singing, laughing, and the Finnish landscapes passing by,  forests, light, and endless nature. These are the kind of moments I really love.

After a 3 / 4 hour drive, we arrived at our accommodation. It was perfect: a big chalet with a sauna, a barbecue, a gym, and even a piano.

But we didn’t wait.

We immediately went to the top of a hill nearby. We stood there, waiting in the cold, looking at the sky… and suddenly, it appeared. The Aurora Borealis.

It was incredible. Green lights moving slowly above us. And the best part was not just the view, but the fact that we were all together. It made the moment even more special.

After that, we went back to the chalet and got some rest.

Nature, Views, and Simple Moments

The next day, we went hiking near the chalet. We discovered a frozen lake, completely covered in ice and snow. It was impressive and peaceful at the same time.

Later, we went to a tower overlooking Kuopio. From the top, we had an amazing view of the city surrounded by huge forests. Everything looked calm and endless.

In the evening, I cooked with two friends. We prepared meat on the barbecue, and honestly, it was one of my favorite moments of the trip. Music in the background, people outside, the smell of the barbecue, the cold air, and the stars above us, everything felt perfect.

Everyone said the meat was really good, and I was happy about that. But more than the food, it was the atmosphere that made it unforgettable.

The next day, we drove back to Kouvola. Same feeling as the way there, music, sun, forests, and a lot of laughter.

One Month Left

Now, I want to share how I feel as my last month in Finland begins.

I feel at home here. I’ve gotten used to everything, the cold, the snow, the nature, the lakes, the sauna. Now the snow is slowly disappearing, and I’m discovering another side of Finland. And honestly, I like it too.

Time is going very fast. Too fast.

I feel like I want to do a thousand more things before leaving. I’m starting to realize that the end of this experience is coming, and yes… it makes me a little bit sad.

But I want to enjoy this last month as much as possible, just like all the others.

Because moments like this trip to Kuopio are exactly what I will remember.